Cruises visiting Wineglass Bay & all Wineglass Bay cruises for 2019

Set on Tasmania's eastern coast, deep amongst the stunning beauty of Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay enjoys some of the world's best climate conditions, with over 300 days of sunshine a year. The bay with its 1.8km white sand beach is one of three bays defining the narrow Freycinet Peninsula. In the 1820s whalers came to Wineglass Bay and set up shore bases. Whenever the whalers went about their grisly business, the bay was dyed red with blood - like rich red wine in a glass - hence its name. The shore-based whaling lasted about 20 years and then in 1916 the area was declared a national park.

Offshore, whales, bottlenose dolphins and southern right whales are regular visitors. Onshore, it is the perfect place to stroll and soak up the sun in peace and quiet. All thoroughly enjoy this crescent of shimmering white sands and azure water framed by looming sea cliffs and a wild hinterland of heath and forest. Visitors may even be joined by a wallaby with a joey in its pouch. On its last Royal visit to Australia, the Royal Yacht Britannia stopped here to allow the Queen ashore for an Australian BBQ.

Freycinet National Park offers bushwalks to the pink granite peaks of the Hazards Range that dominate the peninsula. Look down either side of the peninsula for magnificent views. The area has found fame as one of the world's best beaches in a number of lists, but its quiet, pristine nature has not been compromised. After all, there is not a building, fence, or road, in sight. Princess Mary of Denmark, who was born and bred in Tasmania, claims her favourite place in Australia is undoubtedly Wineglass Bay.